Author: Helen Okechukwu

A study conducted by China’s Xinjiang Medical University has revealed that individuals who frequently consume salt are by 40% more likely to develop anxiety and depression. In contrast, those who occasionally add salt to their food have a lower risk—between 5% to 8%. The study, which examined data from more than half a million British adults, also found that excessive salt intake could accelerate biological aging, potentially leading to mental health issues. Read Also: Daily egg consumption increase diabetes risk, study finds One theory proposed by the researchers is that high salt consumption may disrupt mood-related hormones such as serotonin…

As political tussle continues to escalate in Rivers State, stakeholders and residents knock the continuous development regarding the matter. This followed the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and 27 lawmakers, the state has witnessed rising tensions. These tensions stem from the removal of Local Government Chairmen, the appointment of a Sole Administrator, and protests by women and various non-partisan organisations. On March 18, the governor, his deputy, and the 27 lawmakers were suspended following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State—a move that was seconded through a voice vote by…

Nigeria is currently battling a growing outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), particularly caused by the serogroup C strain of meningococcus. The disease, which has long been a seasonal threat in parts of West Africa, has intensified in severity over the past year, emerging as one of the most urgent public health challenges the country faces today. Between 2024 and 2025, the epidemic has swept across multiple states, with the northern region reporting an overwhelming 94 percent of the country’s suspected cases. The situation has reached alarming levels. Punch reported that out of 1,826 suspected cases, 126 have been confirmed, and…

The Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Uche Nwokwu, disclosed that men with large breasts are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Nwokwu revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja. He said that men undergoing hormone therapy to alter their body physiology to appear more feminine are also at elevated risk. He explained that because men had breast tissue, they could develop breast cancer, although the condition was rare. Confirming that such cases had been recorded in Nigeria, the NCCP coordinator…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has proposed a four-pillar framework to guide national and global efforts in combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Tochi Okwor, head of disease prevention and control at the NCDC, made this known in an interview with News Agency Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja. Ms Okwor stressed the urgent need to act decisively and strategically at the country level. “We are at a critical point. If we are to make meaningful progress in the fight against AMR, we must adopt a pragmatic and inclusive approach built on four key pillars,” she…

Walking 10,000 steps a day in 2025 is still one of the most common fitness goals. But while it’s a good way to stay active, research suggests the number itself isn’t magic. Studies show that walking 7,000 to 8,000 steps daily already gives great health benefits. Still, the idea of having a clear, round goal helps people stay motivated, and that’s a good thing. But if you really want to improve your health—like losing weight, lowering blood pressure, or managing blood sugar—how you move is just as important as how much. A 2024 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of…

In large numbers, women in Rivers State on Friday stormed the major Aba Road area of Port Harcourt, protesting with placards and calling for the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. Before marching along Aba Road, the women held prayers at Isaac Boro Park. As the protesters advanced toward the State Government House from Aba Road, they were seen with placards boldly inscribed with “Bring back Fubara,” “Save our democracy,” “Is the law different for Rivers State?” and “God of justice, arise for Rivers State.” The protesters, who identified themselves as mothers and wives,…

After the state experienced an outbreak in February, the Sokoto State Government announced the recording of 300 meningitis cases, with 16 persons currently undergoing treatment. While speaking at a one-day sensitization campaign held recently, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Farouk Abubakar, revealed this data, stating that others has been discharged. When the outbreak was first reported in February, the number of contacts was not made public. The campaign was organized by the State Ward Development Committee (WDC) Forum in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Muhammad Marnona, Special Adviser on the State…

A groundbreaking new study has revealed a surprising connection between hearing loss and heart failure, urging people not to dismiss hearing difficulties as a minor issue. Researchers in China, analyzing data from 164,431 participants in the UK Biobank study, found that individuals with hearing impairment face a significantly higher risk of developing heart failure—particularly those not using hearing aids. Over a follow-up period of more than 11 years, 4,449 participants developed heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart struggles to pump blood effectively. Symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, and swelling in the legs or ankles, with over a million…

Following the confirmation of a mixed-up embryo birthed by a woman in Australia at the Monash IVF clinic in Brisbane, it is said that legal action could follow over parental birth rights, sparking controversy. Monash IVF, a fertility clinic in Australia that primarily deals with embryo implantation from donors to intended parents, blamed the incident on human error. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility process in which eggs and sperm are combined outside the body in a laboratory, and the fertilized embryo is implanted into the woman’s uterus. Although the cost is exorbitantly high, IVF is not always successful.…